How do I install a FlowBots product/add-on?

To install a FlowBots product or add-on, follow these steps:

• Download the .zip NinjaScript add-on file from the FlowBots website (link). There is no need to unzip the file. This file is also used to update to a new version.
  • To download the correct installation zip file, please check the NinjaTrader desktop version you are currently using. To do this, select Help > About in the NinjaTrader Control Center window.
• Open NinjaTrader and go to the Control Center window.
• In the Control Center, navigate to Tools > Import > NinjaScript Add-On....
• Select the downloaded .zip file.
• Accept all confirmations that may appear.
• Restart NinjaTrader to complete the installation process.

Note: The Import window is a file browser, not a list. When you open Tools > Import > NinjaScript Add-On..., NinjaTrader asks you to browse to the .zip file you downloaded, so the window can look empty until you navigate to it. This is different from Export, which shows a list of items already installed on your machine. The window only lists .zip files, so make sure the file is still zipped and that you are looking in the folder where it was saved (usually your Downloads folder).

During the installation or update, click "Yes" even if NinjaTrader informs you that there is a newer version installed.

Ninjatrader made a really cool video explaining how to install add-ons, indicators or strategies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4ntaVF9mKI

If the standard installation process does not work, you can try an alternative manual installation method:

• Close NinjaTrader.
• Open the downloaded zip file, which has a name like ProductName-1.X.X.X-xxxxx.zip, and copy the ProductName.dll (plus any other .dll files it may have) to \Documents\Ninjatrader 8\bin\Custom.
• Click "Yes" to replace the old file if prompted.
• Open NinjaTrader and click "Yes" to all warning messages.
• Verify that you have the latest product version.

After completing these steps, the product is ready to use.

It is important to note that every time a NinjaScript add-on is installed, NinjaTrader recompiles the entire script library. If there is an error, no products can be installed until the issue is resolved. To troubleshoot compile errors, open the NinjaScript Editor (Control Center > New > NinjaScript Editor), right-click in the background and select "Compile" to view any errors. Errors shown in orange must be fixed before add-ons can be imported or removed. If the errors are not listed in the NinjaTrader documentation, you should contact the add-on developer.

OneDrive Conflict

If you get repeated restart prompts during import, this is usually caused by OneDrive backing up your Documents folder. OneDrive locks files during sync, preventing NinjaTrader from completing the import. To fix this:

Option 1: Exclude NinjaTrader folder from OneDrive sync (Recommended)

1. Right-click the OneDrive icon in your system tray
2. Go to Settings > Backup > Manage backup
3. Find Documents and click Manage folders
4. Uncheck the NinjaTrader 8 folder to exclude it from sync
5. Wait for OneDrive to stop syncing
6. Try importing again

Option 2: Pause OneDrive temporarily

1. Right-click the OneDrive icon in your system tray
2. Select Pause syncing > 2 hours
3. Import the add-on while OneDrive is paused
4. Resume OneDrive after the import completes

This is a known NinjaTrader platform issue. If the problem persists, contact NinjaTrader support at support@ninjatrader.com.